Readington Reformed Church History, 1719-1969 Reverand Simeon Van Artsdalen Infiltration of witchcraft and Methodism seems to have created turbulence in the short career of Simeon Van Artsdalen, who died after serving in Readington three years, from 1783 to 1786. Despite disturbing consistory reports, his brief years must have been satisfying ones, sor twice during that time he turned down offers to go to larger churches. Both the Refomed Church of New Brunswick, and the reformed Church in New York sought him, but he refused. Apparently the Dutch language was still very much alive in the Reformed Church iat this time. Records throughout most of Simeon's pastorate are written in Dutch. A footnote states that wherver Domine Van Artsdalen signed his name he spelled it "Van Artsdalen". But the Historical Directory of the Reformed Church in America, 1628-1965, and some historians use Van Arsdalen, some even Van Arsdaelen. Domine (Simeon) Van Artsdalen was born in North Hampton, PA in 1754, the son of Nicholas Van Artsdalen and Jammetje Vansant (Van Zant) and was baptised 18 Jan 1761 in the Reformed Church of North and South Hampton at Churchville, Bucks County, PA. The family name is interesting since in 1736 we find one Simon Van Aersdaalen appointed helper ath the North Branch church at a time whrn the four collegiate congregrations were attempting to procure from holland and assistant to Domine Theodorus jacobus Frelinghuysen. Domine Van Artsdalen was said to have studied at Princeton. He applied for examination for the ministry at a meeting of General Synod held at New Millstone on 1 Oct 1872. Domine Van Artsdalen was twice married, first to Maria Hoogland, and then to Magdalena Duryee who was received into the Readington Church membership on 25 Nov 1785. He made his home on the church "glebe", as the 130 acre farm with parsonage was called then (glebe is an English word for church property). The glebe was located on the Dreahook Road, between Readington and Whitehouse and bordered on the Schamp (Schomp) burying ground, still in existence. There he died and was buried just outside the west wall of the /Schamp burying ground. In 1815, his remains were moved to the Readington Church yard where his plot is located near that of Domine Studdiford. His tombstone reads: THE REV. SIMEON VAN ARTSDALEN Who departed this life the 26 of May 1786, In the 33rd year of his life. Here lies entomed a servant of the Lord, A faithful preacher of His Sacred Word Who now with Christ in glory is set down, Decked in white robes and honored with a crown. Adjacent to his tombstone is that of his first wife which reads" In Memory of Mrs. Mary Van Artsdalen, who died July 8th, 1784, in the 30th year of her age. (Apparently her death came only shortly after her husband had accepted the Readington charge). He is remembered as one of the most amiable and accomplished young men of this day. He possessed both elequence and power as a preacher, was untiring in his pastoral work and ardent in his piety. His beautiful life came to and early and sudden close in less than three years.